Hertsmere

Hertsmere's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in religion, ethnicity and housing tenure.

The population passed 100,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Hertsmere increased by 5.9%, from almost 94,500 to 100,000.

The addition of almost 5,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Hertsmere was home to, on average, 7.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Hertsmere

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Hertsmere increased by one year, from 38 to 39 years.

This affluent suburban area had a slightly lower average age than Eastof England and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 2,300 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 2,000.

About 10% of people in Hertsmere are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Hertsmere by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Hertsmere

The number of people in Hertsmere that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 13,000 in 2001 to about 19,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 13% to 19% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Hertsmere that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 60,000 in 2001 to about 52,000 in 2011 (from 63% to 52%). The number of people who described themselves as Jewish increased from just under 11,000 to about 14,000 (from 11% to 14%).

Just over 7,800 people (7.9%) did not state their religion, up from just under 7,500 in 2001 (7.8%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Hertsmere increased by 5.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Hertsmere by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Hertsmere

The percentage of Hertsmere residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.0% to 6.8% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.1%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.4% in 2001. The percentage of Hertsmere residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 6.9% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Hertsmere

The number of people in Hertsmere from the White ethnic groups decreased from just over 87,000 in 2001 to about 85,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 93% to 85% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Hertsmere from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 3,800 in 2001 to about 7,400 in 2011 (from 4.0% to 7.4%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 1,300 to just over 3,900 (from 1.4% to 3.9%).

About 2,600 people (1.6%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from about 1,500 in 2001 (2.6%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Hertsmere decreased by 7.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Hertsmere by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Hertsmere, but at a slower rate than in Watford (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Hertsmere).

In Hertsmere, the proportion of private renting increased from 6.6% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Watford increased from 9.7% to 20%.

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in Hertsmere increased from 16% to 17%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74% to 68%.

Private renting in Hertsmere increased by 6 percentage points

Percentage of households in Hertsmere, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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